Best Evidence of Capitalism in the Art Crowd

Many Kansas Citians fear gentrification of the Crossroads, but that boat's tour guides are already drowning in a sea of capitalism. Italian Summer, the June 12 fashion show organized by Birdies, Second Honeymoon and Spool, was so named to acquire the interest of a certain scooter company. "We named it Italian Summer because we wanted Vespa to sponsor us," a giggling Peregrine Honig admitted. Granted, the fickle fashion world isn't exactly an art form dedicated to circumventing money-grubbers -- in fact, um, that's kind of who it caters to -- but perhaps Honig's candid answer can provide a new attitude for the arts district. Maybe money isn't the root of all evil! Maybe we can all just get along!